"The Entertaining History of Little Jack" [School piece or Penmanship sheet] 1806

"The Entertaining History of Little Jack" (1806) by John Bewick (1760-1795) is a charming wood engraving that utilizes a unique format for storytelling. The artwork features a central blank space surrounded by a series of scenes depicting various events in the life of Little Jack. The vignettes depict scenes from Jack's childhood and his eventual journey to become a soldier, creating a visual narrative for the viewer to follow. This piece, which is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the art of wood engraving.